Ransom

Name: Ransom
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 8, 1996
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Gary Sinise, Mel Gibson, Rene Russo

1996

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 270 Ratings

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2.1	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 270 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: November 8, 1996 | R

Starring: Gary Sinise, Mel Gibson, Rene Russo

Summary: In this action-thriller, Mel Gibson stars as Tom Mullen, a wealthy executive whose charmed life is suddenly shattered when his young son is abducted and held for ransom by a gang of ruthless criminals. (BV Entertainment)

Director: Ron Howard

Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 121 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Elvis Mitchell

Mr. Howard has made Ransom in the same clean, swift, logical style that sent his "Apollo 13" into orbit, resulting in a spellbinding crime tale that delivers surprises right down to the wire. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Although the story is built around the automatically emotional situation of an imperiled kid, scripters Richard Price (who appears briefly as an uncomfortably handcuffed victim of Sinise in the early going) and Alexander Ignon and director Ron Howard largely steer clear of milking the easy melodrama. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The movie would have benefitted from a tight rewrite (it is too ambitious in including plot threads it doesn't have time to deal with), but Gibson's strong central performance speeds it along. Read full review

Desson Thomson

There are more climaxes in here than in a Swedish blue movie. This is not to say you won't be thrilled, charged up and put through the ringer at times, but your intelligence will need to be shoved under your seat like warm, flat soda. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Ransom has some clever and exciting moments, but in scene after scene it teases you with gamesmanship only to pummel you with contrivance. Read full review

David Sterritt

Gary Sinise is chilling as the villain, and the screenplay by Richard Price and Alexander Ignon shows some interest in class hostility and other social issues, although this doesn't extend far enough to allow the women of the story a chance to shine in their male-dominated surroundings. Read full review

Steve Davis

A reprehensible movie from just about every perspective, Ransom tries to justify the behavior of its lead character as something grounded in principle, but make no mistake about it: This is the act of a man who can't bear the thought of losing, a man who will turn the tables on his enemy at the risk of a beloved's death. Read full review

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User Reviews

ThisIsSparta666

Jan 16, 2017

Mr. Howard has made Ransom in the same clean, swift, logical style that sent his "Apollo 13" into orbit, resulting in a spellbinding crime tale that delivers surprises right down to the wire.

0 of 15 users found this helpful015

MinecraftF

Mar 29, 2017

Mr. Howard has made Ransom in the same clean, swift, logical style that sent his "Apollo 13" into orbit, resulting in a spellbinding crime tale that delivers surprises right down to the wire.

0 of 15 users found this helpful015

DogeGamer2015

Oct 26, 2020

Es tensa, dramática y muy épica, es una de las mejores películas de Mel Gibson.
¡TOTALMENTE RECOMENDADA!

0 of 13 users found this helpful013

andy24king24

Jan 24, 2019

When I first went to see this it was an 18. Wow can’t believe it’s 1996 when this great thriller was made. Ok firstly it’s not a classic and it won’t be in many people’s top tens but the thing I like about this, it’s not your typical kidnap thriller. Ron Howard directs. Mel Gibson & ReneWhen I first went to see this it was an 18. Wow can’t believe it’s 1996 when this great thriller was made. Ok firstly it’s not a classic and it won’t be in many people’s top tens but the thing I like about this, it’s not your typical kidnap thriller. Ron Howard directs. Mel Gibson & Rene Russo star. Their boy Bradley Nolte (yes Nick Nolte’s son) gets kidnapped, the kidnappers want $2 million or the kid dies. Simple. But things don’t always go to plan as everyone knows. Just watch Man On Fire again a brilliant revenge thriller. But it’s the tension, the suspense, the twists and some very good performances from the cast. And Gary Sinise after his awesome performance in Apollo 13 turns in a very creepy but brilliant performance as the cop/baddie. I thinks it’s a brilliant thriller with a lot potential and yes some people won’t like it, that’s opinions and films for ya.… Expand

0 of 12 users found this helpful012

Tubey

Jun 30, 2015

The star of this isn't Mel Gibson (although his performance here is up there with his career best), but rather Gary Sinise, who in the role of Jimmy Shaker has portrayed one of the most criminally underrated villains in modern cinema. Genuinely cold, terrifying and chilling in his persona.The star of this isn't Mel Gibson (although his performance here is up there with his career best), but rather Gary Sinise, who in the role of Jimmy Shaker has portrayed one of the most criminally underrated villains in modern cinema. Genuinely cold, terrifying and chilling in his persona.

The movie itself is very well delivered and holds up almost 20 years later. The mob connection subplot is the weakest thread of the script and isn't played out as well as it could have been, but the pacing is excellent throughout, the suspense nailed down to an artform and is a thoroughly enjoyable watch.… Expand

1 of 22 users found this helpful121

LoRevisor

Aug 13, 2016

WTF????? What is wrong with the stupid public gaving negative reviews...

A very solid Ron Howard movie about kidnapping, Mel Gibson is Perfect as ever here, Rene Russo is great, and the co. stars too, Some Iconic scenes of 1990's movies you find here!!!

1 of 17 users found this helpful116

Consort

Apr 25, 2021

Mel Gibson & Gary Sinise are awful in this thriller. The movie is very boring and the themes are highly exaggerated. This movie is totally flat and utterly unrealistic.

12 of 12 users found this helpful120

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64	#64 Best Movie of 1996
22	#22 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
43	#43 Most Shared Movie of 1996